Legend has it that at the beginning of the Ly Dynasty’s rule 1,000 years ago, the King, hoping to develop Buddhism, went in search of a scared land to build a temple.
When passing through what is now Dong Vo in Hanoi, he saw two giant trees that struck him as an embodiment of sanctity and decided to build Vien Dinh Pagoda there.
Despite turning 1,000 years now -- legend also says they stood there long before the pagoda was built -- the enormous Siamese rough bush trees continue to produce beautiful yellow blossoms that release their heady scent every summer.
But the astonishing thing is that the trees, native to Southeast Asia, are usually medium-sized and grow to a maximum height of eight meters. This jaw-dropping pair is dozens of meters tall and has enormous trunks.
Another precious relic lays right in front of us as we walked past the large gate into the sacred temple: an ancient wooden bell tower. It is held up by massive columns made from immense ironwood trees and inside is a huge bronze bell that goes back to the time the temple was built.
We were struck by the massive bell’s antique beauty, engraved as it is with ancient writing and delicate decorative patterns.
Its chimes are believed to ward off evil spirits and protect the locality.
Locals tell of dark times when the area was plagued by devils which only the sacred bell’s peals helped hold at bay.
Sacred land
Vien Dinh Pagoda is an important pilgrimage destination with its large number of revered Buddhist relics.
Since 2002 Thich Chon Phuong, its head monk, has visited major Buddhist temples in countries like India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar for religious and cultural exchanges.
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Vien Dinh Pagoda head monk Thich Chon Phuong
His trips have managed to take Vietnamese Buddhism and stories of the sacred origins of Vien Dinh Pagoda outside the country, and evince keen interest in them.
Vien Dinh got its first relic when he met with the chairman of the World Buddhism Union, Thich Huyen Dieu, in India in 2003.
It has now score of them donated by seven Buddhist centers around the world.
Preserved carefully in a large glass container, they give the room an ethereal air.
Phuong has also helped bring some priceless treasures to other pagodas nearby, “to invoke the great blessings and share the power of divine grace.”
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The ancient massive bell of Vien Dinh Pagoda
